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Jaguar creates custom Greatest Hits XJ for Iron Maiden drummer

Manufacturers like Alfa Romeo and Toyota are trotting out Nurburgring-themed special editions like NRING and GRMN, but for Jaguar, it's all about the NWOBHM. That's New Wave of British Heavy Metal, for those who do not start their day with some '80s hair metal turned up to 11. Jaguar is celebrating the venerable XJ sedan's 50 th anniversary this year, and as part of that, the Jaguar Classic Works department in Coventry, England, has built Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain's perfect Series III XJ. The custom car, nicknamed "Greatest Hits," is the product of over 3,500 work hours and 4,000 redone parts. The Series III is, for some, the ultimate development of the first XJ body style, and McBrain's car is his third Series III. It's in most respects a restomod, as the front and rear bumpers, headlights, wheels, infotainment and other details have been modernized; the interior features rock-inspired custom touches like the guitar amplifier-style rotary knobs on the dashboard. The speakers of the 1,100-watt audio system are from the 2012 model year Jaguar XF, as those are what McBrain prefers. The steering wheel logo is a combination of the Iron Maiden mascot, "Eddie," and the Jaguar "Growler" logo. The Jaguar leaper mascot on the hood is from McBrain's first Jaguar XJ6; the paint is a special deep purple, and the interior has been retrimmed with Pimento red leather. But it's not just the appearance of the "Greatest Hits" XJ that has been massaged, as the 4.2-liter straight six of the 1984 XJ6 has been upgraded with three E-type SU carburetors. It also has a custom exhaust with quad tailpipes. There have been nine XJ series so far, and the 10th version is expected to arrive sometime next year. There are persistent rumors that it might eschew internal combustion completely, facing a reinvention as an electric sedan instead. Related Video: Featured Gallery Iron Maiden Jaguar XJ "Greatest Hits" View 13 Photos Image Credit: Jaguar Aftermarket Geneva Motor Show Jaguar Luxury Classics Sedan 2018 Geneva Motor Show

550-hp Jaguar F-Pace SVR revealed ahead of New York Auto Show

"I love this car." So said Jaguar designer Ian Callum, quite genuinely, as the Jaguar F-Pace SVR drove onto the stage at the company's new headquarters in Mahwah, N.J. Despite accepting and even embracing Jaguar's decision to produce SUVs, it's quite obvious (because he says so repeatedly) that Callum is still a guy with a lust for high-powered sports cars. The F-Pace SVR melds these two elements to create something he gleefully describes as "ridiculous." Boasting Jaguar Land Rover's now-familiar supercharged 5.0-liter V8, the SVR produces 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. Jag estimates it'll hit 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 176 mph, which will make it one of the quickest and fastest SUVs on the road when it arrives in dealerships this summer. View 15 Photos It's not just the big engine, however. Upgraded mechanical improvements and enhancements include stiffer springs, wider and lighter forged alloy wheels (21- or 22 inches), bigger brakes (15.5-inch front, 15.6-inch rear), an electronic active rear differential, a variable active exhaust that's 14.5 pounds lighter than the standard one, and specially tuned software for the adaptive suspension, electric steering, eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive and Dynamic Driving Mode. Callum's team also massaged the aerodynamics with larger air intakes, rear bumper side strakes, and fender vents that lower pressure in the wheel arches to reduce lift and increase cooling. A unique hood features vents designed to, well, vent hot air from the engine compartment. There are also wheel arch extensions and lower body moldings to create a more muscular appearance, while the rear sees fat quad tailpipes that one would assume should bark and burp like any good Jaguar SVR. Inside, there are thinner, light-weight sport seats done up in snazzy quilted leather. The rear seat also gets sportier seats with a similar fixed headrest design as those up front. The pistol-like sport gear selector shifter, as used in the Jaguar F-Type, replaces the standard rotary shifter design. It still takes up way too much room on the center console. Pricing starts at $80,985. One would assume Mr. Callum will gets his for less than that. Related Video:

All Jaguars and Land Rovers to get diesel engines... almost

Virtually all Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles – except the F-Type sports car – will get a diesel engine option in the next three years, the company confirmed Sunday night at an event before the Detroit Auto Show. The aggressive blitz begins this fall, when the 2016 Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will launch with available turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 diesel engines. They will push out 254 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque, while returning fuel economy of up to 28 miles per gallon on the highway. The combined rating in city and highway driving will be 25 mpg. The Rovers will be followed in 2016 by the XE sedan and F-Pace crossover, which will offer the 2.0-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engines, in addition to gasoline units. The diesel-powered XE is expected to get at least 40 mpg on the highway, Jaguar Land Rover North America CEO Joe Eberhardt said. The oil-burners are expected to offer 20-to-30 percent improvements in fuel economy compared with gasoline engines, depending on the vehicle. JLR's announcement comes as gasoline prices have plummeted in the United States, and regular fuel costs about $1 less than a gallon of diesel, according to AAA research. Still, the company is taking the long view, and Eberhardt said diesel engines offer greater performance and range than other options. JLR expects about 20 percent of its customers will opt for diesel engines. "We strongly believe this is what our customers will want, regardless of the fluctuations in gas prices," he said. JAGUAR LAND ROVER DEBUTS DIESEL POWER OFFERINGS, JAGUAR XE AND ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR PRODUCTION OF AN ALL-NEW JAGUAR PERFORMANCE CROSSOVER AT 2015 NORTH AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW • Jaguar Land Rover to introduceadvanced, highly fuel-efficient, clean-diesel powertrain options on virtually every Jaguar and Land Rover model sold in North America • The Jaguar F-PACE performance crossover to join Jaguar lineup in 2016 • Land Rover Range Rover HSE Td6 and Range Rover Sport HSE Td6 debut in U.S.; on sale in 2015 • North American debut of the Jaguar XE at NAIAS 2015 • Jaguar Land Rover announces global sales up 9% in 2014 (MAHWAH, N.J.) – January 11, 2015 – Jaguar Land Rover confirms several new vehicle announcements today including an all-new model to the Jaguar lineup, the Jaguar F-PACE, and diesel power options for most of its luxury line up, beginning with the 2016 MY Range Rover and Range Rover Sport luxury SUVs.